Northern Blood Research Centre
Head of laboratory
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Overview of research program
Since its formation in 2000, the NBRC has become one of Australia’s leading research Centres into disorders of the blood. Beginning with a focus on platelet disorders and coagulation, the Centre has established new research programmes in cancers of the haemopoietic system, particularly the myeloproliferative disorders and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Another exciting new area of research at the NBRC is the application of blood and marrow-derived stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Building on many years of clinical expertise in stem cell transplants to cure leukaemia and lymphoma, our scientists are now providing stem cells for several experimental models of organ repair.
The NBRC is the research arm, both basic and clinical, of the Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at Royal North Shore Hospital. With clinicians leading the research teams, our focus is firmly on translational medicine, and most of our projects arise from a clinical problem. We are leaders in the development of new assays to improve patient care, and in bringing novel therapies to the clinic. The close interaction between research and hospital scientists, clinicians and nurses, are a major reason for our ongoing growth and success. The NBRC is affiliated to the University of Sydney and the Northern Clinical School.
In late 2008, the NBRC relocated to the Kolling Building, a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility at RNSH. In addition to providing superb new laboratories, this move will enhance our collaborations with Northern campus and provide a new focus for blood and stem cell research in NSW.
Major funding sources
- Leukaemia Foundation
- CLL Global Consortium
- NHMRC
- North Shore Heart Research Foundation
Selected publications
Taylor BA, Tofler GH, Carey HMR, Morel-Kopp M-C, Philcox S, Carter TR, Elliott MJ, Kull AD, Ward CM, Schenk K. Full mouth tooth extraction lowers systemic inflammatory and thrombotic markers of cardiovascular risk. J Dental Research 2006 85:74-78
Belov L, Mulligan SP, Barber N, et al. Analysis of human leukemias and lymphomas using extensive immunophenotypes from an antibody microarray. British Journal of Haematology 2006 135:184-197
Liang HPH, Morel-Kopp M-C, Curtin J, Wilson M, Hewson J, Chen W, CM Ward. Heterozygous Loss of Platelet Glycoprotein (GP) Ib-V-IX Variably Affects Platelet Function in Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) Patients. Thromb Haemost 2007; 98(6):1298-308
Curnow JL, Morel-Kopp M-C, Roddie C, Aboud M and CM Ward. Reduced Fibrinolysis and Increased Fibrin Generation can be Detected in Hypercoagulable Patients Using the Overall Haemostatic Potential Assay (OHP) J Thromb Haemost 2007 5:528-34
C Weir, M-C Morel-Kopp, A Gill, K Tinworth, L Ladd, S N Hunyor, C Ward. Mesenchymal stem cells: isolation, characterisation and in vivo fluorescent dye tracking. Heart Lung Circulation 2008 17(5):395-403
Tanaka R, Kuroda J, Stevenson W, et al. Fully automated and super-rapid system for the detection of JAK2V617F mutation. Leuk Res. 2008 32(9):1462-7.
CA Hyland, G J Gardener, H Davies, M Ahvenainen, RL Flower, D Irwin, JM Morris, CM Ward and JA Hyett. Evaluation of non-invasive prenatal RHD genotyping of the fetus Med J Aust 2009; 191 (1): 21-25.
M-C Morel-Kopp, L McLean, Q Chen, GH Tofler, C Tennant, V Maddison, CM Ward. The association of depression with platelet activation: evidence for a treatment effect. J Thromb Haemost 2009:7: 573-81.
Barber N, Gez S, Belov L, Mulligan SP, Woolfson A, Christopherson RI. Profiling CD antigens on leukemias with an antibody microarray. FEBS Letters, 2009 583: 1785-1791
Tong WG, Wei Y, Stevenson W, et al. Preclinical antileukemia activity of JNJ-26481585, a potent second-generation histone deacetylase inhibitor. Leuk Res. 2009 (epub.Aug 12)
Major collaborations
- Dr Robert Andrews (Monash) - Platelet-dependent thrombin generation
- Cytopia - Development of novel JAK2 inhibitors
- Prof Richard Christopherson (USyd) - Proteomics of CLL
